THE last time Anthony Morabito played an AFL game, the substitute rule didn’t even exist.

Darwin might have been the most unlikely of settings for one of WA football’s most heartwarming stories, but Morabito — green vest and all — didn’t care after Fremantle’s dominant 63-point win over Melbourne at TIO Stadium last night.

The Dockers are gathering a truckload of momentum, with the 15.7 (97) to 4.10 (34) victory over the Demons their seventh-consecutive triumph, as they set their sights on a top-two finish and avenging last year’s heartbreaking loss to Hawthorn in the Grand Final.

If the laid back setting in the Top End didn’t do justice to Morabito’s extraordinary feat of courage and persistence, the last Saturday in September would surely be a fitting stage for the 22-year-old to complete the ultimate football fairytale.

Anthony Morabito makes his return to football after almost four years on the sidelines with injury.Source: News Corp Australia

Morabito’s entry to the game at the 13m50sec mark of the third quarter, after three knee reconstructions and nearly four years on the sidelines, would have been spine-tingling stuff in front of the passionate purple army at Patersons Stadium.

While Freo’s members and fans missed out, the 9290 Darwin locals in attendance acknowledged the moment with a warm ovation and Morabito obliged by earning a free kick within a minute of restarting his career.

The dream script would have had a goal from Morabito in the last quarter, but he could only manage a behind with his shot in the final minute of the game.

Perhaps he’s saving the goal for the Dockers’ home match against Greater Western Sydney next Sunday.

Melbourne press conference
8:53

Pavlich’s absence handed a debut to strapping key forward prospect Michael Apeness, though the 19-year-old had little impact before being subbed out with five possessions, two marks and no goals.

It didn’t matter as Fremantle’s impressive display was again underpinned by a disciplined defensive performance, while the Dockers’ little men took care of most of the goal scoring.

Having held Brisbane goalless in the first half a fortnight ago, Freo allowed Melbourne just one goal before half-time last night.

Bernie Vince had Ryan Crowley for company, but still had 17 possessions. Photo by Scott BarbourSource: Getty Images

Despite losing the first-half clearances 21-19, the Dockers led the inside 50 count 29-13 and lead on the scoreboard by 28 points to all but have the game in their keeping.

The Fremantle bus was stymied by a locked gate as the players tried to make their way into the ground before the match and the look on coach Ross Lyon’s face hinted that his famed ‘anywhere anytime’ mantra didn’t extend to Darwin.

However it was the dew that was the biggest obstacle in the early going as players struggled to handle a slippery ball.

Fremantle press conference
12:10

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon and Anthony Morabito front the media after their whopping 97-34 win over the Demons.

Fox Sports

05 Jul 2014

Sport/AFL/News

They were unconventional conditions and there was an unlikely first goalkicker as defender Cameron Sutcliffe ran through the centre square and converted on the run from the 50m arc.

There was no banner for Hayden Ballantyne to run through as he played his 100th game, but the in-form forward marked his milestone with the only other goal of the opening stanza.

Dean Kent finally got the Demons on the board nine minutes into the second term with a terrific running goal and Melbourne was able to control field position and gain a foothold in the match for the first time through the middle part of the quarter.

With a game plan based around minimising damage on the scoreboard, Paul Roos would have been happy enough with the arm-wrestle before quick goals to Danyle Pearce, Tendai Mzungu and a gloved Ballantyne in time-on of the second term came as daggers for the Dees.

While most eyes were diverted to the Morabito sideshow, Fremantle continued to extend its margin with a dominant third term, adding seven goals to two for the quarter.

Ruck pair Zac Clarke and Aaron Sandilands became the first talls to get their names on the Freo scoresheet, while Pearce and Mzungu kicked their second goals.

Ballantyne kicked his third goal for the night midway through the final term to be the most dangerous forward on the ground from limited opportunities.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA — JULY 05: Hayden Ballantyne of the Dockers celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 16 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Fremantle Dockers at TIO Stadium on July 5, 2014 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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